The International Olympic Committee (the “IOC”) confirmed today that for now at least, and in spite of allegations of doping violations by the German equestrian team, the team will not be stripped of those medals its team won at last year’s Olympic games in Beijing.
Although the German team has since been disbanded they were extremely successful at the summer games winning gold in the equestrian team jumping and team eventing; and individually picking up medals with Hinrich Romeike securing gold in the individual eventing and Isabell Werth and Heike Kemmer respectively picking up silver and bronze in the individual dressage.
The doping allegations have been strong enough to merit the commissioning of a report by the International Equestrian Federation (the “FEI”); the report being written by former Metropolitan Police chief commissioner Lord Steven. This follows the suspension of bronze medal winner and five time Olympic champion Isabell Werth being suspended in June of this year after her horse tested positive for a banned sedative.
The IOC and German Olympic Committee will now take some time to study the FEI report before making any statement. It is expected that Lord Steven’s report will be published by the FEI in a few weeks with the report’s author has already been granted more time to extend his investigations further.
Although the IOC have suggested no medals will be stripped from the German team, the governing bodies of the IOC and FEI will be keen to ensure that the reputation of sport is not irreparably damaged. If there are wholesale cases of doping violations they must surely bring some sanction to bear on those involved.
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